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With immigration at the top of voters' minds, President Joe Biden and Donald Trump both headed to the border. Wildfires in Texas continue to sweep across the panhandle. And at least 100 people were killed while waiting for food in Gaza. |
👋Leap day greetings, y'all! Laura Davis here. Hope you're making your bonus day count! It's time for Thursday's news. |
But first: Take a leap into history! ⏳ While there may be only 25 or so leap days each century, plenty of historic events have happened on February's extra day. Here's a look. |
Dueling visits to the border |
The long-anticipated standoff between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump finally happened Thursday – not on a debate stage but along 325 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. The political rivals staged separate visits to the southern border in Texas to draw attention to immigration and border security, now the leading issue for voters. |
Biden in Brownsville: The president headed to Brownsville, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, which was once the nation's busiest corridor for illegal crossings, to meet with federal immigration agents and local government and law enforcement to press Congress to act swiftly in passing border security legislation. |
Meanwhile, 325 miles away: Trump was joined by Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials for a speech on his visit to Eagle Pass, roughly 325 miles northwest of Brownsville and part of the corridor that has seen the largest increase in illegal crossings. | Left: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump walks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and others in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Thursday. Right: President Joe Biden talks with the U.S. Border Patrol, as he looks over the southern border in Brownsville, Texas, along the Rio Grande. Evan Vucci, Eric Gay |
Texas wildfire is largest in state's history |
What's happening now: As of Thursday 130 fires were burning across the state, according to the Texas A&M Fire Service. The largest of the blazes, the Smokehouse Creek Fire, had consumed 1 million acres, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island, and it was just 3% contained. | A small fire burns along Highway 33 outside of Canadian, Texas, on Thursday as a remnant of the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hemphill County. Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News |
Scores killed while waiting for food in Gaza |
More than 100 Palestinians were killed and hundreds wounded when Israeli troops opened fire on people waiting in a food line in Gaza City, pushing the Palestinian death toll above 30,000 since the war began, officials said Thursday. Israeli authorities released aerial footage of crowds swarming the aid trucks, placed blame on the crush of the crowd and Palestinian truck drivers and asserted fewer than 10 of the casualties were a result of Israeli gunfire. Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said at least 112 people were killed and 760 wounded. 📍 Follow our live coverage. |
Celebrating girl power: 2024 Women of the Year |
A gymnast, a CEO, a doctor, an actress, a model turned writer. These women make a difference every day – in every state. Introducing USA TODAY's 2024 Women of the Year, 60 women across the country who are using their voices and determination to push for change, equality – and even joy. ⭐️ Meet USA TODAY's Women of the Year. | Eva Longoria, Toni Townes-Whitley, Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Aly Raisman and Paulina Porizkova are just a few of USA TODAY's 2024 Women of the Year. Alan Nguyen | | | | Here are the top takeaways about the Supreme Court's decision to hear Donald Trump's claim of immunity against charges he tried to steal the 2020 election. | | | |  | A judge ordered Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to take a paternity test to determine whether he is the biological father of a woman who sued him last year. | | | | Cat Janice, who went viral after dedicating her final song "Dance You Outta My Head" to her son, has died from sarcoma cancer. She was 31. | | | | Cote De Pablo and Michael Weatherly will bring fan-favorite roles of Ziva David and Tony DiNozzo to a new "NCIS" spin-off coming to Paramount+, | | | | Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto's mother, was arrested Wednesday and is now a suspect in the teen's disappearance. | | | | Aly Raisman is known as an Olympian and voice for sex abuse survivors. As a USA TODAY Woman of the Year, she is showing courage in redefining herself. | | | | The day of the smooth, perfect color coordinated cake is over. The wild, bejeweled cakes feature big swirls and draw from the Victorian age. | | | | Awareness of heart disease is on the decline among women – especially younger ones, who are at increased risk. | | | | Former President Donald Trump claimed his criminal indictments were enhancing his support among Black voters, but the polls and experts say otherwise. | | | | | Sign up for the news you want | Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don't miss out! We're always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. | | | | | | |
